Giada De Laurentiis hosts the 1st NYC Meatball Madness

CLOCKWISE: (1) Event host, Giada De Laurentiis. (2) Event Judges, Gail Simmons, Frank Bruni and Jeffrey Steingarten. (3) Mama DiSpirito and Rocco DiSpirito. (4) The Allen Brothers of Pat La Frieda, Giada De Laurentiis and Meatball Madness Winner, Andrew Carmellini from Locanda Verde.

The 1st ever Meatball Madness was off to a great start as ticket holders eagerly waited in line to start the tasting.  When the doors opened, everyone burst in to partake in the feast.  My first taste was at Anne Burrell’s station.  Anne’s sous chef claimed their meatball was the best of the bunch.   Well, after tasting a whole bunch of meatballs, I think it’s one of the best – moist and buttery.  My next stop was at Mama DiSpirito as I spied Rocco helping out.  Hmm … delicious but a bit dry.  Then, I saw Giada visiting tables and tasting meatballs with Ian Schrager.  I had to follow them.  It was a marvelous journey of meatball after meatball.  Can’t wait for the 2nd Madness in 2010 !!